Leyla Okhai

Leyla Okhai is a leading expert in diversity, inclusion, and mental health, with over 20 years of experience helping organisations create truly inclusive and psychologically safe cultures. Known for her dynamic and thoughtful approach, she is the Founder and CEO of Diverse Minds UK Ltd, a boutique consultancy specialising in inclusive leadership, mental well-being, and cultural intelligence. Leyla’s work spans across sectors – from higher education to global brands – where she designs and delivers strategic interventions that foster belonging and drive innovation.

She began her career in higher education, holding pivotal roles in two of the UK’s most prestigious universities. At Oxford, she worked to embed equity into academic and professional structures before going on to become the Head of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre at Imperial College London. In this senior leadership role, she shaped institutional policy, led cultural transformation, and pioneered inclusive leadership initiatives. These experiences gave her invaluable insights into the barriers individuals face in the workplace and equipped her with the tools to build bridges across difference.

Through Diverse Minds, Leyla has worked with clients such as ASOS, Farfetch, the Science Museum Group, and the North East London NHS Trust to embed mental health awareness and inclusive practices into their operations. She is also the host of the Diverse Minds Podcast, now one of the longest-running English-language podcasts focused on inclusion and mental health, which won the Podcasting for Business Award in the Diversity and Inclusion Category in 2021. In 2019, she delivered a powerful TEDx Talk – The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health – which continues to resonate with audiences across sectors. Her thought leadership has been sought by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s and Wellbeing at Work, where she presented on the long-term mental health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leyla’s achievements have been recognised through multiple accolades, including the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Diversity and Inclusion Business of the Year, the Woman Who Achieves Solopreneur (Services) Award, and a finalist position at the Precious Awards for Women of Colour. As a keynote speaker, she is known for her engaging style, authenticity, and ability to offer practical strategies that can be implemented immediately. Whether she’s delivering talks on inclusive cultures, authentic leadership, or unconscious bias, Leyla equips her audiences with the tools to drive meaningful, lasting change.